Television

NAMES & FACES

August 28, 2002

Tamyra Gray may have been ousted from American Idol, but the show's producer has selected her to be the first finalist to have her career professionally managed. "This girl is a star," says Tom Ennis of 19 Entertainment, which has three months after the American Idol finale Sept. 4 to decide whether to manage the finalists' careers. Gray's option is the first to be exercised.

ABC is planning a two-hour prequel to the 1997 feature film Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, reports Variety. The film starred Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino.

THEY SAID IT

"People want to see you crashing your car on Quaaludes, not helping the March of Dimes." Leif Garrett, former teen idol, on his `Behind the Music' episode

CELEBRITY

Actress Margot Kidder is recuperating from a broken pelvis she suffered in a weekend accident in Maine. She was injured when her GMC Yukon hit raised pavement and rolled over several times. Kidder will remain hospitalized for several days.

MUSIC

Peter Noone, who was "Herman" of Herman's Hermits, filed a federal lawsuit against a musical group allegedly performing under the band's name. The lawsuit seeks an injunction blocking Barry Whitwam, the band's original drummer, and several others from performing under the Herman's Hermits name.

Britney Spears was duped by a pair of Montreal radio comics -- with one posing as Canadian diva Celine Dion. Speaking to Spears in an on-air phone interview, Marc Audette reportedly persuaded her to sing with Tiger Woods for a fake charity event to be held at Dion's purported club. In reality, the venue is a Montreal strip joint. Replied Britney: "Oh, I would so be interested, oh my goodness, definitely." Audette says Spears was a good sport when the gag was revealed.